Photos courtesy of The Lundquist Institute
What began in 1952 inside simple Army barracks on the campus of Harbor General Hospital has evolved into one of the most impactful life-science institutions in the country. Born from physicians determined to improve care through science, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI) has always followed a simple but profound principle: innovation belongs in the hands of the people who need it most.
More than 150 principal investigators now lead over 600 research studies and 100+ clinical trials each year, driving advances in health care across Los Angeles and around the world. TLI’s community-focused programs — including maternal and pediatric services that support more than 100,000 women and children annually — ensure that breakthroughs do not remain in the laboratory. They reach families, save lives, and reduce disparities in care.
As TLI often says, “progress in research isn’t a straight line — it’s a lifeline,” a philosophy that has guided the institute since its earliest days. TLI’s reputation as a birthplace of medical breakthroughs continues to grow. In 2025, Bill Gates spotlighted an innovative lung surfactant developed at TLI — a more affordable option designed to save premature babies who struggle to breathe, particularly in low-resource countries. It’s just one example of how discoveries made in Los Angeles are transforming health outcomes around the world.
The belief that “when science meets compassion, entire futures are saved,” shared widely by those across the institute, remains foundational to its mission.
Today, TLI stands ready to expand its impact even further. Its 11.4-acre campus features state-of-the-art laboratories, the BioLabs startup incubator, and soon, a 15-acre BioCenter tech park — a bold development poised to strengthen the region’s growing biotech economy.
This progress has been made possible by visionary philanthropic leaders such as Melanie and Richard Lundquist, whose giving — approaching $80 million — has accelerated life-changing work.
As TLI navigates a shifting national research landscape, continued investment has never been more essential. Federal funding constraints create real challenges: slower pathways from discovery to treatment and fewer opportunities for early-stage breakthroughs. Yet under the leadership of President and CEO Joe W. Ramos, PhD, the institute stands united in its focus and purpose.
With world-class talent, strong clinical partnerships, and a mission that begins and ends with people, The Lundquist Institute is built not just to face the future, but to shape it — locally and globally.
Every discovery brought to life is another life given a future.
“Give with intention and your money works in perpetuity. One dollar can serve the entire world.” —Dr.Melanie Lundquist
Double Your Impact — Why Research Funding Matters
Breakthroughs don’t happen overnight. They require years
of experimentation, clinical trials, and the support to push discoveries forward — especially when lives are depending
on the outcomes.
Your generosity plays a critical role in that journey. Longtime Palos Verdes residents Melanie and Richard Lundquist are generously matching every donation 1:1 through the end of the year — doubling support for The Lundquist Institute’s most urgent biomedical research needs. Every dollar you give becomes two, accelerating discoveries that can save lives.
Your Gift Helps:
• Accelerate promising research into real-world treatments
• Expand access to innovative care for the most vulnerable
• Equip scientists with the tools needed to make
lifesaving discoveries
• Ensure the next generation of researchers is trained
and supported.
Donate today — and help bring new cures within reach for patients in our community and around the world. Visit lundquist.org/donate
Your contribution doesn’t just fund research. It funds hope — and doubles its impact.
Dr. Joe W. Ramos, PhD: President & CEO, The Lundquist Institute
As President and CEO of The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center — a role he began in early 2025 — Dr. Joe Ramos is leading TLI through a transformational moment in biomedical research, ensuring the institute continues to advance groundbreaking science that directly benefits patients and the communities it serves.
A nationally respected cancer researcher and scientific strategist, Dr. Ramos previously led the Louisiana Cancer Research Center as Director and CEO and served as Director of the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center in New Orleans. Before that, he spent more than a decade at the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center — an NCI-designated Cancer Center — where he held multiple leadership roles and contributed to two successful NCI designation renewals.
Dr. Ramos earned both his undergraduate degree and PhD from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral training at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.
Today, he is championing a bold future for TLI — built on unity, collaboration, and impact.
“Together, as One TLI, we’re not just responding to change but leading it.” — Dr. Joe W. Ramos
The High School Summer Fellows Program
8 weeks on TLI’s Torrance campus working alongside leading scientists and physicians
through the High School Summer Fellows Program — a transformative experience
shaping tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Since 1978, The Lundquist Institute in Torrance has offered an immersive 8-week research experience for talented high school juniors and seniors from Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Fellows work side-by-side with world-renowned physicians and scientists on real research projects, gaining hands-on lab training, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of how biomedical discoveries can change lives. The program concludes with a formal presentation of their work to peers, family, and members of the scientific community — celebrating each student’s achievements and future potential.
A Beautiful Day: Generosity in Action for Lifesaving Research
Photos by Ed McClure
On November 28, 2025, supporters gathered for a warm and inspiring outdoor luncheon hosted by the extraordinarily generous philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist. Surrounded by the beauty of their home, guests came together in support of The Lundquist Institute’s groundbreaking biomedical research — fueling innovations that have the power to change lives.
Melanie spoke to the group with heartfelt conviction, expressing her deep personal passion for advancing research that leads to real-world cures. Her unwavering belief in the Institute’s mission — and in the people behind it — was felt throughout the afternoon.
Attendees also heard from Dr. Joe Ramos, the relatively new President and CEO of The Lundquist Institute. He shared his inspiring journey into biomedical science and the remarkable breakthroughs happening across the Institute’s campuses — from pioneering therapies and clinical trials to discoveries that are shaping the future of medicine.
Together, their voices reminded everyone that every step forward in research begins with community support — and that the impact of this work extends far beyond the Peninsula.
